Nick Cannon on 'Whiteface' Controversy: 'I Was Doing a Character Impression; Blackface Is About Oppression' (Video)

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Nick Cannon as his white alter ego

The comedian opens up about the character he created to promote his new album "White People Party Music."

Nick Cannon is once again defending the white alter ego he created to promote his upcoming album.

The America's Got Talent host -- who created a controversy when he posted Instagram photos and videos in which he's sporting whiteface, red hair, a beanie hat and plaid shirt -- told Good Morning America that his character isn't the same as blackface.

"They're using this term 'whiteface,' like I don't even know what that is," Cannon said. "I know 'blackface' was a term that was created in 1869 to describe offensive minstrel shows. 'Whiteface,' if you look it up and Google it, it's a ski slope in upstate New York. I was doing a character impression. Blackface is about oppression."

He went on to repeat one of the many social media defenses he made after posting the photos and videos, saying "There's a big difference between humor and hatred."

He also said that one of the reasons he created what he knew would be a controversial character is because of people's sensitivity about race.